Nutrachemicals in the Prevention and Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the most common cause of mortality in the United States. The emphasis on prevention, early detection, and recent advents in pharmacological and interventional approaches has resulted in significant reduction in the associated mortality and morbidity. There is widespread public interest in the use of alternative medicine to prevent and treat these diseases. The cardiovascular system is more susceptible to free radical oxidative stress and premature aging than any other body system. Certain herbal and dietary factors have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties. Therefore, select supplements may play a preventive and therapeutic role in CVD. Conflicting reports in the biomedical literature and lack of information from health care professionals have led to the misunderstanding about supplements’ roles in patients with CVDs. This chapter reviews the most commonly used nutrachemicals.